Tuesday 11 June 2019

A change of plan today and a change of pace to go with it. We know that we will need food, fuel, water and laundry at least once before we take off for Sardinia. In fact, we will need to buy food a number of times. The ongoing difficulty with getting a place in a marina further complicates the picture. So today we decided to head back to Ciudadella, and see if we could get into the marina there. We phoned and were told to phone back later. We did so, and still there was no vacancy. We went there anyway to get fuel, the easiest of the necessities to obtain. If they still had no space, there was a nearby cala where we could anchor, and head off to get some groceries. 

When we arrived at Ciudadella, we refuelled and contacted the marinaros for the last time. “You are in luck” they said, “we have 1 berth. You should consider going to the casino today, or buying a lottery ticket, as it is your lucky day”. So, we went straight from the fuel dock to the berth, before anyone else took it.

From here the chores took over. A quick dash to the launderette to put the washing in, and then we walked on another 2 or 3 km to the supermarket. They had no delivery slots available, so we resorted to buying the huge amount of food we needed and got a taxi to take us back to the boat.  The driver was surprised, when our shopping would not easily fit into the back of his car. We have bought all the non-perishable goods we need for the next few weeks. Then it was back to the launderette to complete that part of the process.

A statue of one of the prancing horses, on a roundabout.

It has been some time that we have been away, and I was in need of a haircut.  Tricia had pointed out that I was sporting a sort of “Coco the clown” hairstyle, so it was time to pluck up courage, take the plunge and try another random barbers.  We had spotted one on our travels, and I was relieved to receive what I think is a very good haircut at a reasonable price.

Back at the boat I was chatting with our neighbour, a German guy with a dachshund. He was otherwise alone, although he said that he was waiting for a new crew to join him. He is sailing from Germany, to Thailand, via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. I think it will take quite a while, he is in a 50 year old steel boat, converted to have sails as well as an engine. He had been glad of the steel when he had run aground on rocks.  No damage to the hull, but the water tank, which is right at the bow had been damaged and need to be welded. A relatively simple task, possible in almost any harbour environment.  He saw our washing drying and said that he had been doing the same thing.  We laughed that some people think that what we do is a long holiday, whereas in truth, the boat sets you work to do each day, and you have to get on with it.

Distance covered today	15	nautical miles
Trip distance covered	845	nautical miles
Distance covered 2019	845	nautical miles
Steve (and Tricia)